UNCONFIRMED

Te Oneroa a Tōhe Beach Board Meeting Minutes

24 July 2026

 

   MINUTES OF Far North District Council
Te Oneroa-A-Tōhe Beach Board Meeting
HELD AT THE Conference Room, Te Ahu Centre, Cnr State Highway 1 & Matthews Ave, Kaitāia
ON Friday, 24 July 2026 AT 10:00 am

 

PRESENT:               Chairperson Lisa McNab (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa), Harata Brown (Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri), Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania, (Far North District Council) Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira (Far North District Council), Cr Colin (Toss) Kitchen (Northland Regional Council), Cr Arama Morunga (Northland Regional Council), George Riley (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa).

ONLINE:                  Auriole Ruka (NRC - Pou Manawhakahaere – Group Manager Strategic Partnerships and Engagement), Ruben Wylie (NRC Pou Tiaki Taiao - Group Manager Environmental Services NRC) (left at11:39 am), Llani Harding (FNDC Pouhautu – Te Hono), Dena-Maree Hemara (FNDC Kaiarahi Kaupapa Māori). Roger Ackers (FNDC – Head of Strategic Reforms Initiatives), Benjamin White (Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport), Rachel Ropiha (Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport), Ryan Anderson (Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport), Haami Piripi (arrived at 11:59 am)

STAFF PRESENT: Guy Holroyd – (FNDC CEO), Aaron Taikato (FNDC Manuhautu – Te Hono), Aisha Huriwai (FNDC Manawhakahaere Ratonga Manapouri – Democracy Services), Marlema Baker (FNDC Kairuruku Komiti o Te Kuaka)

 

1          Karakia timatanga / opening prayer

The Chair commenced the meeting and invited Cr Arama Morunga to open with a karakia.

The Chair also provided a mihi whakatau to Board members, staff and attendees.

 

2          Ngā Whakapāha Me Ngā Pānga Mema / Apologies and Declarations of Interest

2.1        Apologies

Resolution  2026/1

Moved:       Cr Colin (Toss) Kitchen (Northland Regional Council)

Seconded:  Harata Brown (Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri)

That the apologies from Abbey Brown (Ngāti Kuri), Sheila Taylor (Ngāti Kuri), and Wallace Rivers (NgaiTakoto) be accepted and a leave of absence granted.

Carried

Secretarial Note: The Board acknowledged the passing of FNDC staff member Joe Tua and requested this be recorded in the minutes, recognising his long service and contribution to the far north district.

3          Te Whakaaetanga o Ngā Meneti o Mua / Confirmation of Previous Minutes

3.1         Confirmation of Previous Minutes

Agenda item 4.1 document number A5876812, pages 5 - 16 refers.

Resolution  2026/2

Moved:       Chairperson Lisa McNab (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa)

Seconded:  Cr Hilda Halkyard-Harawira (Far North District Council)

That Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2026 as a true and correct record.

Carried

 

4          NGĀ TAKE WHAI AKE ME TE AROTAKE RĀRANGI MAHI / MATTERS ARISING – Action Sheet Review

4.1         Action Sheet Review

Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board reviewed the Action Sheet and received progress updates on the following outstanding matters;

Sites of Significance Workshop and Rautaki Review (Actions A02, A03, A20, A22, A23, A24)

-       Updates were provided on planning for the proposed workshop to review Sites of Significance, place names, Iwi affiliations, Rautaki implementation, legislative interfaces, and potential amendments to the Rautaki.

-       Members noted work underway to circulate an editable version of the current Rautaki to Iwi representatives, develop a workshop agenda, clarify desired outcomes, and prepare recommendations for future Board consideration arising from the workshop process.

Treaty Settlement and Planning Framework Discussions (Actions A03, A23, S06)

-       The Board received an update on ongoing Treaty settlement and planning framework discussions, including consideration of settlement obligations, statutory acknowledgements, District Plan interfaces, Beach Management Plan implementation, and the integration of settlement arrangements within current and future planning processes.

-       Members noted the importance of ensuring Treaty settlement outcomes continue to be recognised and protected through legislative and planning reform processes.

Communications and Engagement Planning (Actions A05, A06, A07, A08, A10, S05)

-       An update was provided on communications and engagement activities, including implementation of the Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board Facebook page, establishment of Board liaison contacts, continued engagement with Iwi communications teams, and plans to update Board Member photographs and communications assets.

-        Members noted that the broader Communications Plan would be brought back for further discussion at a future meeting.

Technical Steering Group Membership and Participation (Actions A04, A09, A18, A19, S01)

-       Members were advised of developments relating to Technical Steering Group membership and attendance requirements, including confirmation of Iwi representatives, ongoing support arrangements, maintenance of an updated register of members and alternates, and the need to ensure the group continues to provide appropriate technical expertise to support the Board's work programme.

Funding and Governance Cost Allocation (Actions A01, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, S04)

-       The Board discussed funding requirements and governance cost allocation arrangements, including completion of the financial analysis undertaken by Northland Regional Council and Far North District Council, reimbursement of governance-related expenditure, future operational funding requirements, implementation planning, and options for incorporating governance support costs into councils' business-as-usual budgets.

-       Members also noted work being undertaken to seek greater certainty regarding long-term implementation funding.

Head Start Local Government Reform Programme (Actions A16, A17, A21, A26, A27, A28, S07)

-       An update was received on the Head Start Local Government Reform programme, including circulation of the Outline Proposal, engagement with Iwi technical advisors, and consideration of potential implications for local government structures and governance arrangements across Te Tai Tokerau.

-       Members noted ongoing advocacy to ensure Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board arrangements are appropriately recognised within future reform proposals.

Treaty Settlement Implications and Future Engagement Opportunities (Actions A16, A26, A28, S06, S07)

-       The Board considered the implications of local government and resource management reform for Te Hiku Treaty settlement arrangements. Discussion focused on ensuring that Treaty settlement commitments, Board powers and functions, Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements, relationship agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Iwi planning instruments, and representation arrangements are retained and protected through any future legislative or governance transition processes.

Flood Management and Catchment Engagement (Actions A29, A30)

-       Completed actions were noted and removed from the register. Remaining actions were retained for ongoing monitoring and reporting at future meeting.

Secretarial Note: Section 4.1 was not a listed agenda item. The Board reviewed its Action Sheet under Matters Arising and received progress updates from staff on the recorded actions.

 

 

5          Communications – Facebook Page Proposal

 

5.1         Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board Facebook Proposal

Resolution  2026/3

Moved:       Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

Seconded:  Harata Brown (Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri)

That Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board;

a)     Adopt Option 1 as the preferred option for establishment of a Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board Facebook page; and

b)     Confirm the Board Chairperson Lisa McNab and Member Harata Brown as Board contacts to support communication activity.

Carried

Secretarial Note: Section 5.1 was not a listed agenda item. It was raised to confirm the establishment of the Board’s Facebook page and administrators.

The Board also requested future Board documentation consistently use capitalised references to Iwi and Hapū.

6          Ngā kaikōrero / Speakers

6.1         Local Government Reform (Head Start) Update – Roger Ackers (FNDC)

The Board received an update regarding:

-       Head Start proposal development.

-       Proposed transition from four councils to two unitary authorities.

-       Potential future move to a single Northland authority.

-       Engagement undertaken to date.

-       Implications for Treaty Settlement arrangements.

The Board discussed retaining all powers, functions and purposes of the Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe arrangements, continuation of settlement obligations, retention of representation arrangements and statutory protections, and ensuring meaningful involvement of the Board and Te Hiku Iwi in future design work.

The Board requested stronger wording within the Head Start proposal to ensure Treaty settlement arrangements are retained and protected, powers and functions of the Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board transition intact to any successor authority, existing settlement intent and statutory obligations are maintained and that the Board is involved in future design and transition discussions.

 

6.2    Resource Management Reform Update - Ben White (MCERT)

The Board received an update from Benjamin White, accompanied by Rachel Ropiha and Ryan Anderson, regarding:

-       Resource Management Reform legislation.

-       Treaty settlement provisions within the new planning system.

-       Future engagement with Te Hiku PSGEs.

-       Implications for Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board arrangements.

The Board expressed concern regarding the removal of Mana Whakahono ā Rohe transition provisions, potential impacts on Crown-Iwi relationships and the importance of maintaining Treaty settlement outcomes.

Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) staff advised that Treaty settlement obligations are intended to continue and be upheld under the new planning framework.

7          Ngā Pūrongo / Reports

7.1         Te Oneroa-A-Tōhe Board Financials June 2026

Agenda item 5.1 document number A5877001, pages 17 - 23 refers.

Resolution  2026/4

Moved:       Chairperson Lisa McNab (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa)

Seconded:  Harata Brown (Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri)

That Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board;

a)     receive the report titled "Financials June 2026",

b)     note the financial position of the Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board as at 30 June 2026, including a remaining balance of $99,262.69, consisting of:

·      $61,228.91 remaining in the Board Operational Fund; and

·      $38,033.78 remaining in the Plan Development Fund.

Carried

 

7.2         Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board - Future Funding Options

Agenda item 5.2 document number A5877334, pages 24 - 36 refers.

Resolution  2026/5

Moved:       Chairperson Lisa McNab (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa)

Seconded:  Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board:

1.         Receive the report ‘Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board - Future funding options’ by Ruben Wylie dated 9 July 2026.

2.         Endorse Option 3 – Comprehensive funding package of approximately $90,000 as its preferred funding approach for consideration by Northland Regional Council and Far North District Council through their 2027–2037 Long Term Plans;

3.         Direct the Technical Advisory Group report back to the Board at its September meeting with advice on an improved decision-making and reporting protocol to support future activities overseen by the Board.

Carried

Secretarial Note:

Members noted expectations that governance support costs should be treated as business-as-usual operational expenditure by both councils.

 

7.3         General Business

Resolution  2026/6

Moved:       Chairperson Lisa McNab (Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa)

Seconded:  Kahika - Mayor Moko Tepania

That Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Board address the following General Business matters and note:

a)        Flood Mitigation and Catchment Management:

-       Members discussed flood-related concerns and opportunities to better understand flood-prone locations across the Kaitāia Basin and wider catchment.

-       Cr Halkyard-Harawira requested a tour of the drainage areas in the catchment. An invitation will be extended to Board members to attend relevant river and catchment liaison activities.

b)        Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Forum:

-       Members were advised of the forum to be held in Whangārei on 10 September 2026.

c)        That the September Board meeting be moved from 18 September 2026 to 11 September 2026.

Carried

Secretarial Note: Section 7.3 was not a listed agenda item however the Board has included a General Business section in previous meetings as evidenced in past minutes. 

8          Te Wāhanga tūmataiti / public excluded

8.1         Resolution to Exclude the Public

Resolution 2026/7  

Moved:       Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa Lisa McNab

Seconded:  Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri Harata Brown

That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.

The general subject matter of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relations to each matter, and the specific grounds under section48 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

General subject of each matter to be considered

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Ground(s) under section 48 for the passing of this resolution

8.1 - Confirmation of Previous Minutes - Public Excluded

s7(2)(a) - the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons

 

s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7

Carried

Secretarial Note: Section 8.1 was not a listed agenda item. This item was raised by a Board Member and the Chair agreed that it should be discussed in-committee.

 

9          karakia whakamutunga / closing prayer        

10        tE kAPINGA hUI / Meeting Close

The meeting closed at 12:38 PM.

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed at the Te Oneroa a Tohe Beach Board Meeting held on 11 September 2026.

...................................................

CHAIRPERSON